Articles Of Incorporation Nonprofit Template for Germany

Articles of Incorporation Nonprofit (Vereinssatzung) is the essential founding document required when establishing a nonprofit organization in Germany. This document is mandatory for registration in the German association register (Vereinsregister) and must comply with both the German Civil Code (BGB) and German Fiscal Code (AO). It defines the organization's charitable purposes, governance structure, membership rights and obligations, and dissolution provisions. The document is crucial for obtaining tax-privileged status and serves as the constitutional framework for all organizational activities. It must be signed by at least seven founding members for registered associations (eingetragener Verein - e.V.) and notarized before submission to the local court (Amtsgericht) for registration.

1. Name and Registered Office: Legal name of the association with 'e.V.' suffix and the city/location of its registered office

2. Purpose and Objectives: Detailed description of the nonprofit's charitable, benevolent, or cultural purposes, aligned with tax-privileged purposes under § 52 AO

3. Nonprofit Status: Declaration of nonprofit status and commitment to exclusively and directly pursue nonprofit purposes

4. Membership: Types of membership, conditions for admission, rights and obligations of members, and termination of membership

5. Membership Fees: Provisions regarding membership fees and contributions

6. Organs of the Association: Description of the association's governing bodies (typically General Assembly and Board)

7. General Assembly: Rules regarding the supreme governing body, including convocation, voting rights, and decision-making processes

8. Board of Directors: Composition, election, responsibilities, and powers of the board (Vorstand)

9. Financial Year and Accounting: Definition of the financial year and basic accounting principles

10. Dissolution: Procedures for dissolution and provisions for asset distribution to tax-privileged purposes